1. The Nostalgia of Road Trips
2. Bluebird by Lark’s Vision
3. A Revival of Classic Motor Lodges
“There’s something so nostalgic about the road trip,” says Rob Blood, founder and president of Lark Hotels. “Roll down the windows, turn up the music, let your hair blow back.” He cites these fond memories of childhood family vacations as inspiration for his company’s new sub-brand, Bluebird by Lark, launched in June 2021 to revive the classic American roadside inn.
Bluebird focuses on purchasing and renovating old properties, which Blood describes as “memory-making spots” that are dated or in disrepair. The brand’s debut property was the 42-room Spa City Motor Lodge (doubles from $139) in Saratoga Springs, New York, formerly known as the 1963 Saratoga Downtowner Motel. This was quickly followed by the 50-key Parker Beach Lodge (doubles from $199) on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and the former Mountaineer Inn, a 1960 ski chalet in Stowe, Vermont, rebranded as the 51-room Tälta Lodge (doubles from $149), featuring mountain-inspired design and a range of outdoor activities.
Blood’s vision is echoed by other investors eager to restore these icons of American driving culture. The outdoors-focused Skyline Lodge (doubles from $179) in Highlands, North Carolina, which originally operated as a hilltop casino in the 1930s and became a motel in 1965, reopened under new ownership in July 2021. This 40-room inn off U.S. Route 64 follows the vintage model with exterior-entry rooms organized around a communal space, featuring renovations that replaced the courtyard swimming pool with a lawn complete with lounge seating, fire pits, and games.
“A motor lodge should be clean, cozy, and easy to find,” states Adriana Farmiga, co-owner of the 16-key Starlite Motel (doubles from $135), located in Kerhonkson, New York. Built in 1958, this property along the Catskills’ Route 209 exemplifies a classic motor lodge with exterior access, a pool, and an outdoor lounge area. Farmiga and her partner have revitalized the Starlite with airy rooms and a canteen to feature local wines and spirits.
For those exploring Texas, the 48-room Shady Villa Hotel (doubles from $130) in Salado, a recent project by the Austin-based Bunkhouse Group, previously known as the Stagecoach Inn, showcases a swimming pool lined with native plants and a Texan-inspired dining experience.
Ultimately, reaching these charming locales demands getting behind the wheel. Nonetheless, for Blood, that aspect is integral to the experience: “A motor lodge is about how you can celebrate the entire journey,” he concludes. Travelers, it’s time to start your engines.
A version of this story first appeared in the December 2021/January 2022 issue of GoTravelDaily under the headline On the Road Again.
